RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL AND THE MINISTERS FOR HEALTH, MEETING WITHIN THE COUNCIL of 27 May 1993 on future action in the field of public health

(93/C 174/01)

THE COUNCIL AND THE MINISTERS FOR HEALTH, MEETING WITHIN THE COUNCIL,

Having regard to the Treaties establishing the European Communities,

Having regard to the acts adopted by the Council in the field of public health or which have an impact on public health,

Whereas the Treaty on European Union, signed in Maastricht on 7 February 1992, sets out a framework for future cooperation and Community action;

Considering the conclusions of the Edinburgh European Council on 11 and 12 December 1992, in particular regarding an overall approach to implementation of the principle of subsidiarity and measures to increase the transparency of the Community's decision-making process;

Considering the Commission staff working paper of 12 October 1992 on public health;

Recalling the conclusions drawn by the Presidency from the discussions at the meeting of the Council and the Ministers for Health, meeting within the Council, on 13 November 1992 concerning the framework for action in the field of public health;

AFFIRM the need for Community action and cooperation between the Member States on public health in collaboration with the Commission;

EMPHASIZE that it would be expedient to have an appropriate procedure for consultation between Member States and the Commission on questions of public health and take note of the Commission's initiatives in this connection;

AGREE that the emphasis in Community action should be placed in particular on prevention with the aim of ensuring a high level of health protection;

POINT OUT that, public health policy as such, except in cases where the Treaties provide otherwise, is the responsibility of the Member States;

AGREE that there is a need for greater continuity and coherence in the Community's work and for the setting of priorities over a number of years;

AGREE that cooperation between successive Presidencies is useful for ensuring continuity and coherence in the Council's work;

AGREE to give consideration to the means which will ensure that the necessary weight is given to health policy requirements in the context of other Community policies;

INVITE the Commission, in accordance with Article 229 of the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, to ensure closer cooperation with the appropriate bodies of the Council of Europe and the World Health Organization, particularly on the European dimension of the latter's activities;

CALL UPON the Commission as soon as possible to submit to the Council, in accordance with the Treaties, proposals for a programme of action in the field of public health, having regard, amongst other things, to the guidelines indicated in the Annex.